It was a weekend of away wins, with the Vodacom Blue Bulls defeating the Leopards 40-6 in Potchefstroom, Toyota Free State edging the Cell C Sharks 44-40 in Durban and DHL Western Province beating the Xerox Golden Lions 20-10 in Johannesburg.
The Leopards had no answer for the Vodacom Blue Bulls’ classy attack, with the young men from Pretoria scoring five tries en route to their 40-6 victory after leading 19-6 at the break.
The Leopards managed only two first-half penalty goals for their efforts as the Vodacom Blue Bulls delivered an effective all-round display, which saw them remain at the top of the log table seven points adrift of the Toyota Free State.
A brace by DHL Western Province winger Sihle Njezula and two valuable penalty goals by Junior Springbok flyhalf, David Coetzer, steered the side to their second victory in the competition as they defeated the Xerox Golden Lions 20-10 at Wits Rugby Stadium.
The Capetonians led 10-3 at the break and they maintained their composure as the match progressed, while they also delivered a good defensive effort, which saw them leak only one try.
Toyota Free State showed their grit in a competitive encounter against the Cell C Sharks to hold on for a narrow 44-40 victory. The match was tight from the outset, with the Free Staters taking a 18-12 lead at the break, but in the end their seven tries to six by the Cell C Sharks were enough to see them through for the win.
Toyota Free State hooker Ruben Cross and centre Conan Le Fleur made valuable contributions, each scoring twice.
SA Rugby U21 Championship Round 5 results:
Xerox Golden Lions 10 DHL Western Province 20
Xerox Golden Lions 10 (3) – Try: Dameon Venter. Conversion: Big Foot Lailvaux. Penalty Goal: Big Foot Lailvaux.
DHL Western Province 20 (10) - Tries: Sihle Njezula (2). Conversions: David Coetzer, Abner Van Reenen. Penalty Goals: David Coetzer (2).
Cell C Sharks 40 Toyota Free State 44
Cell C Sharks 40 (12) – Tries: Sean Barnes, Marcell Barnard, Evan Roos, Henry Chamberlain, Caleb Dingaan, Le Roux Malan. Conversions: Henry Chamberlain (5).
Toyota Free State 44 (18) – Tries: Ruben Cross (2), Ruan Smit, Elrigh Louw, Philppus Johannes Krugell, Conan Le Fleur (2). Conversions: James Mollentze (3). Penalty Goal: Lubabalo Dobela.
Leopards 6 Vodacom Blue Bulls 40
Leopards 6 (6) - Penalty Goals: Andre van der Berg (2).
Vodacom Blue Bulls 40 (19) - Tries: Cabous Eloff, Hanru Sirgel, Wian van Niekerk, Lian du Toit, Jay Cee Nel. Conversions: Vaughen Isaacs (4).
